Ikorodu Local Government Area (LGA) has promised to partner with Clinton Health Access Initiative (CHAI) and Committee on Community Maternal Perinatal Death Surveillance Response (C-MPDSR) to reduce perinatal death.
The council Chairman, Mr Wasiu Adesina, made the promise when he received delegates of the Lagos State Primary Health Care Board in his office at the secretariat in Ikorodu, Lagos.
He said the essence of the meeting was to discuss workable plans to kickstart a surveillance response on maternal and perinatal death also known as pregnancy-related deaths in Ikorodu Division.
“Today’s meeting with the Lagos State Primary Health Care Board, CHAI and C-MPDSR) is to discuss workable plans to reduce perinatal deaths.
“This is a global initiative that is key to the identification, notification, quantification, determination of the causes and avoidability of maternal and neonatal deaths and stillbirth within our community.
“The goal of this project is to put up necessary measures for the prevention of maternal and perinatal deaths,” he said.
Similarly, Dr Veronica Iwayemi, Programme Manager, State Emergency Maternal and Child Health Intervention Centre (SEMCHIC) and a member of the board, said that the project was at its pilot stage in Lagos.
Iwayemi said that the state and Ikorodu Local Government had distinguished itself as a pacesetter for accepting the project and by its readiness to render support for the team.
“We are delighted to be received by the council chairman who also accepted to work with us as we embark on this special assignment.
“This project is at its pilot stage in the state, and we are here today to sensitise and plan for the inauguration of the local government committee and wards sub-committee.
“This is sequel to our introductory meeting, which was held last Monday with our honourable chairman in attendance.
“We appreciate your warm reception, it speaks volumes of your altruism and love for the people of the LGA,” Iwayemi said.
According to her, C-MPDSR project in Ikorodu will be coordinated by CHAI with delegates from the local government and wards who will work together to deliver on the mandate of the initiative.
She appreciated Gov. Babajide Sanwo-Olu, of Lagos State for his keen interest in the well-being of Lagosians, adding that it was a pointer that the Governor’s THEMES Agenda was not leaving anyone behind.
“Palliative materials may never get to everyone, but I am certain that our infrastructural projects and this health initiative will be beneficial to everyone.
“Through this project, we will be able to track the mortality rate of pregnant women and their unborn children, identify the causes of death, and prevent future occurrences,” she said.
Also speaking, Dr Jemilade Longe, Team Lead of CHAI, said the programme would be a robust initiative that would be beneficial to the residents of Ikorodu LGA and environs.
Present at the meeting were Dr Adeniyi Taofiq, a health educator; Dr Rahmat Odesanya, the council medical officer at Ikorodu PHC and management staff.(NAN
